Tiger Barb is gonna die . . .

[jpsracing]

One of my Tiger Barbs is acting funny and I think he may die -- does anyone know why a TB would swim nose down and/or sideways incessantly? As soon as he stops swimming, he starts floating to the top of the tank and he has to swim back down again . . . :(

Is this is swim bladder issue? Any expert opinions? Is there anything I can do to help?

This tank has been great for two years, so I don't think it is a chemical problem . . .

JPS

[jpsracing]

BTTT hoping for a reply soon . . .

Thanks,
JPS

[CHINABOY1021]

oh, they point their nose down when the water conditions arent right.

[FLNGroovy1]

I have a male betta who does a very similar thing. Often after he eats, he can be found "lying" at the surface of the water on his side. For the longest time we would think he was dead, but he would start swimming around when we'd wiggle our finger around him. Sometime he would try to swim to the bottom but it would be a struggle and as soon as he'd stop swiming he'd quickly float back to the top. Like you, I figured it was some swim bladder issue. Its almost as if he gets bloated after he eats and just needs to "burp" or something. A few hours after eating he goes back to "normal" and swims around just fine without being extra buoyant.

Anybody know what causes this or if its bad? He seems fine otherwise (normal alertness, appetite, etc).

[cdawson]

My betta did the exact same thing! We tried treating him to no avail, we eventually had to put him down because it got so bad he could eat.

[jpsracing]

Well here it is two days later and he seems fine now . . . wonder what the heck it was??? :confused:

Glad he is OK :)

JPS